Lyndhurst Mansion Will Host the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show This Weekend
For the first time in its 145-year history, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will not be held in New York City—it will instead take place at Lyndhurst Mansion, in Tarrytown, New York, this weekend.
This change was done to ensure the safety of all who are involved with the event, given the pandemic—which is also why it will be held outdoors, on the grounds of the estate. Since the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show’s creation in 1877, it has always been held in Manhattan, at venues like Madison Square Garden (where it was supposed to take place this past February, before being postponed and moved), Piers 92/94, and the now-nonexistent Grand Central Palace. As for the history behind Lyndhurst Mansion—which was built in 1838—it has been open to the public since 1965, for all to enjoy its scenic 67 acres of landscaping and imposing Gothic Revival architecture.
Another pandemic-related change to this year’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the absence of spectators and vendors, which typically adds up to around 40,000 people in total. Instead, only the dogs (all 2,500 of them!), their owners, and the judges will be in attendance this year. And, better yet, the dog show has direct ties to the former owners of Lyndhurst Mansion! The sons, daughter-in-law, and grandson of railroad magnate Jay Gould (who lived at this abode from 1880 to 1892) all took part in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at different points in time, as owners, breeders, exhibitors, and judges. (Read more about this befitting connection on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s website.)
Interested in seeing this spectacular historic house serve as the backdrop for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show? The competition will air on FOX, FS1, FS2, and the Fox Sports app this Saturday and Sunday, June 12th and 13th. And if you’d like to visit Lyndhurst Mansion, book a tour of the house and its grounds here.
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